Planting attachment for cultivators.



No. 644,308. Patented Feb. 27, I900. J. C. WEDDLE.

PLANTING ATTACHMENT FOR GULTIVATUB S.

Application filed. Apr. 19, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet IWITNESSNES v I INVENTOI? 9. M %%wfizg%m/ m5 nonms PETERS 0b., nnofouwouWASHWGTON. a c,

No. 644,308. I Patented Feb. 27, I900.

J. c. WEDDLE. I

PLANTING ATTACHMENT FOB CULTIVATOBS.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1899.) (No Model 7 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

WITNESSES INVENTOH c. m: Norms PETERS 00., PHOTO-LUNG. wAsumc-rou. n

PATEN JOHN CRIT WEDDLE, CF TAYLOR, TEXAS.

PLA NTI NG ATTAoHMENr FoR CULTIVATORS.-

s'rncmieArIoN fa'ma part of Letters Patent No. 644,308, dated February27, 1900.

Applicatitn filed Aprillll, 1899.

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN GRIT WEDDLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Taylor, in the county of Williamson and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn and Cotton PlantingAttachments for Cultivators; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention has reference to a corn and cotton planting attachment forcultivators, the object thereof being to provide simple, complete, andefficient mechanism that can easily be applied to or removed from theordinary cultivator construction for the purpose of providing plantingmeans; and the invention therefore consists, essentially, in theconstruction, arrangement, and combination of parts and in certaindetails thereof, substantially as will be hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a sideelevation of my improved corn and cotton planting attachment forcultivators, the parts being represented as arranged for practicaloperation. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with certain partsremoved. Fig. 3 is a partial plan view showing the particular relativelocation of certain of the' parts. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 representstructural details.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent figures of the drawings.

The frame of my improved planting attachment for cultivators, plows, andsimilar machines consists, essentially, of two parts, the front sectionand the rear section, which are easily and quickly connected together ordisconnected from each other. 1 denotes the frame of the rear section,which is of a genorally-rectangular form, and 2 the frame of the frontsection, the same consisting of a single horizontal andforwardlyextending beam. The rear frame 1 carries the seedbox 30, whosefeet or attaching-legs are bolted to the sides of the frame 1, asclearly represented in Fig. 2. Rear frame 1 also supports the seed-chute37,.which is arranged below the box 36 with its mouth contiguous to theSerial No. 713,607. (No model.)

' ground. Rear frame 1 also sustains the coverers 38 and theground-wheel39. The shaft 40 of wheel 39 is journaled in suitable hangers orstandards aifixed to the frame 1, as shown in Fig. 1,and on this shaft40, outside of the frame 1, is a sprocket-wheel 41, around which passesthe drive-chain 42, that likewise engages and actuates the seedboxsprocket-pinion 43. The front section of the fram e-that is to say, thehorizontal beam 2- carries the plow 28 and the connections whereby thewhole device is attached to the cultivator. At the extreme front end ofbeam 2 is an upper plate 3 and an under plate 4, both of which projectforwardly beyond the end of the beam 2 and are provided with circularorifices or openings to receive and contain a retaining-bolt 6. Theplates '3 and 4 are secured to beam 2 by means of the bolts and nuts 55. The bolt 6 passes through a transverse horizontal bar 7, which issituated between the upper and lower plates 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 1,said bolt 6 serving as a pivot on which the bar 7 can oscillate. To therear edge of the bar 7 is bolted a thinner and smaller bar 8, whoseextremities enter perforations or apertures in the clamps 9 9, saidextremities of the bar 8 providing round journal-pins, and thuseffecting hinged connections with the said clamps 9, so that the clampsmay have a vertical oscillation on the pivot-pins thus provided. Clamps9 9 embrace the sides of the arching iron 11, which is a piece of thecultivator mechanism proper, the said clamps being firmly bound orapplied to the arch 11 by means of the bolts 12 12. On the lower ends ofthe arching iron 11 are the horizontal angle projections 10 10, to whichthe cultivator-beams are adapted to be clamped when the cultivator isemployed for. its usual and distinctive purpose. From the foregoingexplanation of the arrangement of the parts it will be seen that ahorizontal oscillation is permitted on the pivot 6 and verticaloscillations on pivots at the ends of the bar 8, whereby a double hingeworking in two directions is provided and the free play of the wholeconstruction is admitted of.

Rigidity and firmness in a contrivance for attaching the planting.mechanism to the cultivator mechanism are more effectively achieved byuse of the braces 13 13, running from the outer ends of the bolts 12 12forwardly and upwardly to the parallel sides of the tongue 14 of thecultivator, where they are firmly bolted thereto by means of somesuitable bolt-and-nut device.

indicates a strong horizontal beam or bar provided at its opposite endswith staples and also with a third central staple. The end staples arefurnished with chains or straps 24 24, which connect with the lower endsof the upper levers 21 21. The central staple on the beam 25 connectsloosely with a clevis 26, which is bolted to the beam 2 by means of somesuitable bolt-and-nut device. Each of the levers 21 is furnished with acatch device 22, that engages the notched sector 23, bolted firmly onthe frame of the cultivator, whereby the lever 21 can be secured at anydesired point of adjustment.

In addition to the arched iron bar 1 1,already spoken of, thecultivator-frame proper comprises the upper seat-frame 16, on which ismounted the seat 20 for the driver oroperator of the machine. Below theframe 16 depend the vertical standards 18, carrying the journals underthe hubs 19 of thelarge wheels 17 17. Running forwardly from theseat-frame 16 are side bars 15, that are secured to the tongue 14 by thesame bolts that pass through the braces 13, all as clearly shown inFig 1. Of course it will be understood that the exact construction ofthe cultivator-frame and its parts may vary considerably withoutdeparting from my invention, which is intended to be applied tocultivator constructions of various kinds. It is also to be perceivedthat when the operator is seated at 20 he can readily take hold of anddepress the lever or levers 21, thereby lifting the beam 2 and raisingthe plow 28 from the ground to a greater or less distance. This samemovement which lifts the plow 28 will likewise lift the rear section,which Ihave already partially described and which operatively supportsthe seedbox, ground-wheel, coverers, seed-chute, and other parts, andthe operator after depressing the lever or levers 21 can. reach downbehind his seat and lay hold of the bent rod 44, which engages arms 45,that are bolted securely to the frame 1 near its rear extremity, and bypulling said rod 44 upward can bring the rear section 1 and itsappurtenant parts to a level position and keep the same there byattaching the rod 44 to the hook 46 on the end of the seat-frame 16,below the seat 20, by

. which means the whole device is readily and quickly suspended aboveground in a convenient position for transportation or fortu rning orreversing the mechanism around the return furrow.

The plow, sweep, or blade 28 is operatively applied to a bifurcatedstandard 29 at its curved lower end, the upper ends of which standardseparate, so as to embrace the beam 2 near its rear extremity, and theseforks are secured to said beam 2 at two points, at one point by means ofthe bolt 30 for the purpose of furnishing a hinge-like motion at saidpoint, and at another point by means of a bolt 32, that passes throughan elongated slot 31 in the end of each of the forksof the plowstandard,as is represented in Fig. 1, said bolt 32 having a tap by operatingwhich the extremities of the aforesaid forks may be fixed at any desiredpoint of elevation or depression within the adjusting limits of theslot. This particular style of supporting the plow or sweep is to enablethe angle made by the lower surface of the plow with the surface of theground to be changed, regulated, or adjusted.

A horizontal transverse beam 33 is securely fastened at right anglesacross the top of the forward beam 2, at the rear extremity of thelatter, by means of astirrup-clamp 34. Either end of this beam 33 isfurnished with an oblique stirrup or foot-strap 35, said straps beingadapted to receive the foot of the operator, who is seated on the seat20, and who thereby controls the lateral movementsof the mechanism.

I will now describe the means whereby the rear frame 1 is inovablyconnected with the front beam 2, so as to admit of a free movementvertically and horizontally by providing a joint that swivels in bothdirections.

A horizontal crossbar 47, consisting of a thin flat piece of metal whichis bent downwardly at a right angle at each end, is situated at the rearend of the beam 2. The angular ends of this flat bar 47 are providedwith the horizontal projecting integral journals 48 48, that enterloosely perforations in the extremities of the flat side bars 49 49,that are secured to the sides of the frame 1. (See Figs. 2, 5, and 6.)On the top of the rear end of the beam 2 is a flat plate 50, projectingrearwardly beyond the extremity of the beam and perforated to receive avertical bolt 51, which passes not only through plate 50, but alsothrough the cross-piece 47 and the beam 2, and thus provides a pivot onwhich the rear frame 1 and the front beam 2 may interrelatively swing.\Vhile horizontal motion is secured by means of this pivot, a verticaloscillation is secured by means of the journals 48 48, alreadydescribed.

The chute or'delivery-spout 37, through which seed passes from theseed-hopper 36 for distribution into the furrow, lies within a strongrectangular, circular, or other shaped iron frame 52, which is shown inFig. 3. The front part of said frame is connected with a short cross-rod53 in the rear of the bifurcated footpiece 'or standard 29, that carriesthe plow 28. The rear part of the aforesaid iron frame 52 has connectedthereto a strong spiral spring 54, which in its turn connects or isformed with a rod that extends rearwardly and upwardly in an inclineddirection, passing through a cross-bar 55, that is connected to theopposite parallel sides of the frame 1, as shown in Fig. 2, at whichpoint there is a thread on the rod and a hand-tap 56. By this means therear section 1 of the planting attachment is braced from below with thelower part of the strong standard and a firm pressure of theground-wheel 39 is secured.

When the sections of the machine are to be disconnected from each other,the spring-rod just described can be cast loose by unscrewing thehand-tap at 56.

The coverers 38, which have already been mentioned, are bolted on thelower ends of the coverer-standards 57, which extend obliquely upwardand are secured to the outer edges of the rear frame 1 by means of thebolts and taps 58. Additional perforations are made in the standards 57to admit of their adjustment in the elevation or depression of themechanism. The upper ends of the standards 57 are bent horizontallyrearward and enter the bifurcated or cleft upper ends of the obliquestandards 59 59,which are secured at their lower ends by means of boltsand taps to the sides of the frame 1. Through the prongs of thebifurcated upper end of the standards 59 and the intervening part of thecoverer-arms 57 passes a wooden peg 60,which is intended to be brokenwhenever the coverer-plows encounter an obstruction that would otherwisecause the breakage of another part.

Many changes maybe made in the precise construction, arrangement, andapplication of the numerous parts of mypresent mechanism, and I reservethe liberty of so modifying and rearranging as may be necessary to bestsuit the invention to the needs of actual use, it being borne in mindall the while that the proper limits of the ensuing claims shall not beexceeded. It will be noted that when the rear section of the machineryis removed and the parts shown in Fig. 3 are left, together with thecultivator mechanism proper, a ridingplow of extraordinary efficiencyand means of operation will be provided, which plow will presentmanifest advantages to those skilled in a knowledge of the art to whichthis invention pertains.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a corn and cotton planting attachment for cultivators, thecombination of the front frame carrying a plow or sweep, a rear framesupporting a seedbox and a ground-wheel, means for throwing the plow andplanting mechanism out of operation, and means for making a movableconnection between the two frames.

2. The combination of the front section carrying a plow, thecultivator-frame to which said front section is connected in adoublypivoted manner, lifting means for adjusting the height of saidsection from the ground,

lifting mechanism for the planting-section, and the seat-supportingframe whereby the operator rides upon the machine, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination with the cultivatorframe having drive-wheels, of thefront frame of a planter attachment, said frame carrying an adjustableplow or sweep, means for connecting said frame in a double pivotalmanner with the cultivator-frame, means for guiding the mechanism fromthe drivers seat, a spring connecting the plow and planting attachmentto normally hold the latter in contact with the ground, liftingmechanism for adjusting the height of the parts from the ground, aseat-carrying frame, and a stirrupprovided guiding device mountedtransversely upon the plow carrying frame, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a cultivator-frame, of a planter attachmentconsisting essentially of a front frame supporting the plow, means forhinging said frame at its forward end to the cultivator-frame in adouble pivotal manner, the rear frame carrying the groundwheel, aseed-distributer, a delivery-chute and coverer-plows, means for making adouble pivotal connection between the front and rear frame, aseat-carrying frame, a spring connecting the planting-frame with theculti vator-frame to normally draw the former toward the ground, andmeans for supporting the rear end of the rear frame from theseatcarrying frame, substantially as specified.

5. Ina corn and cotton planting attachment for cultivators, thecombination of the front frame or beam carrying an adjustable plow,means for doubly pivoting the end of the front frame to the cultivatorframe, and a rear frame carrying the seed-dropping devices together witha spring connection between said frame and the plow or sweep, tonormally hold the planting mechanism in contact with the ground,substantially as described.

6. In a corn and cotton planting attachment for cultivators, thecombination with a front section carrying a plow and 'pivotallysupported on the cultivator-frame, of a rear section carrying aseed-distributing device, and coverers, together with means foroperating the seed-distributer, a spring connection between the plow andplanter to normally hold the latter in contact with the ground, andleverage means for lifting and sustaining the sections of the machinefor convenience in transportation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN GRIT WEDDLE.

